Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC) to Warfarin Transitions in a Pharmacist-led Anticoagulation Clinic

Abstract

Purpose Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism have historically been treated with vitamin-k antagonist therapy; however, due to well-documented limitations, direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use has been increasing.(1)(2) The convenience and clinical utility of DOACs is not applicable to all patients, and some must be transitioned to warfarin therapy. Despite practice recommendations, suggestions from package inserts, and clinical trial evidence, there remains a lack of literature describing real-word examples of patient transition from DOACs to warfarin.(3–11) Summary All patients who were transitioned from a DOAC to warfarin from January to December 2016 and were managed by the clinic were included. Patients were excluded if the transition to warfarin did not include ≥ 2 days of DOAC overlap or if DOAC therapy was used as a bridge to surgery or procedure. St. Joseph's/Candler Health System IRB granted expedited approval and waived informed consent. Four elderly, Caucasian patients met the inclusion criteria. Four patients were successfully transitioned from a DOAC to warfarin for their atrial fibrillation, 3 were transitioned from apixaban and 1 was transitioned from rivaroxaban. Conclusion Overall the purpose of this retrospective, observational study was to highlight real-world management of the transition of DOACs to warfarin in an outpatient, pharmacist-led clinic.